Interspecies electro-transformation in Corynebacteria

Plasmid DNA was efficiently electro-transformed into intact cells of nine Corynebacteria strains belonging to Brevibacterium lactofermentum, Brevibacterium flavum, Corynebacterium glutamicium</it> and Corynebacterium melassecola</it>. Relationships were explored between transformation efficiency and parameters such as electric field strength and pulse length, DNa concentration, physiological state and concentration of the cells. In optimal conditions, more than 107 transformants per μg of DNa could be obtained. Electrotransformation with plasmid DNA isolated from different sources indicates that DNA modification may play a role in transformation efficiency.